I have open the Folio that I have originally made for the iPad on a Samsung Galaxy Tab and I see a lot of differences in the way videos are played.

It seems that for the iPad I need to always use the H264 codec, but on a Samsung galaxy tablet this is not the good way to do it. After various tests I see that I must use the F4V format (which uses the H264 codec) in Adobe Media Encoder CS5.5

The problem is that F4V with the H264 codec can't be read on the iPad.

Thus...

- Or there is only one method to create video files that can be read on iOS and Android and it would be great if somebody can tell me which app and which presets to use...

- Or we must always create two different video exports, one for iOS and the other one for Android.

It works but there is step to add: the iPhone/iPod preset generates a file with the .M4V extension which can't be imported into InDesign (greyed out). I had to change its extension to .MP4 so InDesign accepts it.

+1 for handbrake. Mine defaults to the m4v format, so not sure about the issue there. Also, m4v imports into InDesign just fine. When you go to place the vid, select ALL FILES instead of importable files, then select your m4v. It will show up in your comp.

I also see posts around the net saying that m4v won't work with Android, which is not true.

If you use Handbrake and it generates an m4v file you can just change the name of the generated file --- "m4v" "to mp4". You don't need to re-encode. They are no different inside. Adobe Media Encoder works really well also.

johnm64, it seems you have not read this topic. I have read here in this topic about Handbrake and it works. But there are clients who can not decide what they can install on their computers but they have Adobe Media Encoder installed.

When I use Adobe Media Encoder, the video only works on the iPad but not on the Galaxy.

So you are two guys who say : "In AME it works". OK ! But make a screenshot of your settings and show it to us. Because just saying, it works will not help the community.

I also encourage the people who are writing the User Manual to better explain the settings that we must use in AME because it is just written "Use H264 and it works".

OK-- one example in detail: I have both an iPad (iOS) and a Kindle Fire (Android). I shot a video on my iPhone 4S and edited it in iMovie. iMovie exports the video as .mov. In Adobe Media Encoder I re-encoded the video as .mp4. I created a folio which I tested on both devices. The video played perfectly in each. The only difference is that The Kindle Fire only plays the video in full screen.

Try making it a standard video size like 1280x720 without changing anything else in your settings. If that works then you know it has something to do with the pixel dimensions. Video players can be quirky about odd pixel dimensions, they like standards.

I would also try starting fresh with the H.264 preset. Sometimes you can roll over and change one of the settings(like profile) unintentionally.

Can you play other H.264 files successfully on the Galaxy? Can you transfer the mp4 file you create directly to the device and try to play it with just the device's OS?

What do I need to do to have an answer to a basic question and a necessary issue ? To buy and Adobe DPS Pro licence ? ;-)

Well, you should also know that in addition to getting your questions answered more promptly, Adobe has top secret 'DPS Pro/Enterprise Lounges' in several major cities. These are not unlike 1st Class Lounges that can be found in airlines. You get free beer, pretzels, and free wifi.

...

Okay, now getting serious:

1. HAVE YOU TRIED HANDBRAKE TO ENCODE THE VIDEO? If not, stop whatever you're doing and give it a try. Conversion software is not all the same. Adobe's H.264 is better than it's ever been, but it's a pretty well-known fact that Handbrake is the BEST encoder out there for mp4/H.264. Relying on Adobe to always give you satisfactory results for video conversion is FOLLY.

2. I've read in several places the Galaxy has trouble with mp4 files. There's not a million threads with this news; actually only a handful. Nonetheless, the news is out there. I created mp4 files for viewing on a Motorola Xoom and they played FLAWLESSLY. That's the trouble with the Android platform - every manufacturer is free to mess with the code and put their own wrapper over the OS. Things get messed up, and consistency of platform becomes a problem.

I'm just trying to help you with troubleshooting steps. Since most people aren't having the same problem it may be an encoder setting, or it may be your device. Once you figure out what the problem is then you can worry about overcoming the limitations of your device and/or Adobe's DPS system to best meet your client's needs.

Try getting it to work any way you can. Don't assume that your target device is perfect, it has limitations and issues too. Find out what format of videos the target device does play back and try using that. Try using Handbrake as landrvr1 suggested. Something about what you're doing isn't working so keep at it until you figure out what's wrong. Trial and error is the only way you'll know for sure, we can't really tell you since we aren't using your files on your device.

Andrew makes great suggestions...ESPECIALLY the one about simply trying to play the mp4 file within the Galaxy's media/video player. If that doesn't work, that's going to tell you a lot....

He's also right on about starting with a fresh preset. I'd do H.264, then AppleTV 720p. Change to PAL if need be, but don't mess with anything else. A VBR 1-pass is more than sufficient for these devices. Also, checking 'Use Maximum Render Quality' is a bit of a trainwreck setting - yielding unpredictable results. I've absolutely never seen that setting IMPROVE the quality of anything - regardless of the footage type or source. I have, however, seen it mess out the output.

In fact I can not use so-called "video standard sizes" because I have created a video cover for my FOLIO so it must be a custom size. Also if the client wants a specific video size, Handbrake does the job but I try to make Adobe the same thing with only one encoding in Adobe Media Encoder.

I know Handbrake, I used it for years, but the point is elsewhere. So please read fully my post before advising me to use Handbrake.

I will try the size issue. thank you.

I've read the post. I utterly and completely don't understand what difference it makes if you use Handbrake or AME??????? omg. LOL.

But there are clients who can not decide what they can install on their computers but they have Adobe Media Encoder installed.

WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN????? Again, no one seems to be following exactly WHY it's so important to use AME... Are you creating templates or videos or material for other people to use? Even if you were doing that...JUST TELL THEM TO USE HANDBRAKE. IT'S FREE.

I can not install Handbrake on computers of public administrations without the approval of 3 authorities and fill a lot of paperwork. But they have CS5.5 licences.

Also in Handbrake it only works if we use the iPhone preset, it does not work with the iPad preset. The quality of the video is lower and does not meet the result of what I can have on the iPad using AME.

If you don't understand that then you will never work with major institutions.

Okay, well, did you try the straight forward video test? Does an mp4 file play in the Galaxy's media player?

Did you try this test yet?:

I'd do H.264, then AppleTV 720p. Change to PAL if need be, but don't mess with anything else. A VBR 1-pass is more than sufficient for these devices. Also, checking 'Use Maximum Render Quality' is a bit of a trainwreck setting - yielding unpredictable results. I've absolutely never seen that setting IMPROVE the quality of anything - regardless of the footage type or source. I have, however, seen it mess out the output.

Do that test. Make sure you only have 1 pass specified, and uncheck Max Render Quality.

If the resulting video from that test won't at least play properly in the Galaxy media player, you should simply stop trying now because the OS is flawed. You might as well beat your head against the wall for all the good it's gonna do....

I'm reaching out to some people in our organization to see if anyone has a Galaxy and is willing to load one of my folios and test the video.

Adobe have been worse than useless in resolving the video issue with our magazine on Android. It works when viewed using the Adobe Content Viewer on a Zoom but not on the same device once it has gone through the production process!